Effective May 1, 2025, Missouri’s new Earned Paid Sick Time law will take effect. Here are the key details employers need to know:
- Coverage
- Applies to all private employers in Missouri
- Excludes federal and state government entities
- Some employee categories are exempt (e.g., certain nonprofit workers and employees in retail/service businesses with annual gross sales below $500,000)
- Accrual and usage
- Employees earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked
- Accrual begins May 1, 2025, or upon hire (whichever is later)
- There is no waiting period, so employees can use sick time as it accrues
- Annual limits
- Employers with 15+ employees: 56 hours of use per year
- Employers with fewer than 15 employees: 40 hours of use per year
- Carryover and front-loading
- Up to 80 hours of unused sick leave can carry over to the next year
- Employers may front-load sick leave at the beginning of the year
- If front-loading, unused time must be paid out at year-end
- Permitted uses
- An employee’s or their family member’s physical/mental health care
- Absences due to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking
- Closures of workplace or schools due to public health emergencies
- Employer requirements
- Display a workplace poster by April 15, 2025
- Provide individual notice to employees within 14 days of hire
- Maintain records for at least three years
- Next steps
- Review and update your existing PTO policies
- Prepare for implementation by May 1, 2025
- Watch for potential legal challenges or legislative changes